Congress Condemns Massive Data Breach of CBSE Grade 12 Answer Sheets The Congress party on Sunday (May 31, 2026) condemned the exposure of answer sheets for two million CBSE Grade 12 students, calling it a “data breach of monumental proportions” that jeopardizes student privacy. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and its contracted vendor, COEMPT, of systemic incompetence and negligence, highlighting the scandal as a reflection of the ministry’s failures. Ramesh criticized the CBSE’s handling of the Class 12 Board exams, emphasizing that the leaked answer sheets—now publicly accessible—expose a critical lapse in data security. He pointed to the poor quality of the scans, noting that the documents bore “folds and drop shadows,” characteristics typically associated with mobile phone scans rather than professional scanning equipment. This, he argued, raises questions about the scanners COEMPT used, especially since the third Request for Proposal (RFP) had originally specified robotic scanners. The Congress leader also cited a post on X, where he linked to an AWS bucket misconfiguration, allowing unauthorized access to media files containing 2026 answer sheets and question papers. “We can paginate and enumerate all their media,” he wrote, underscoring the scale of the breach. Ramesh accused the CBSE of failing to secure its digital infrastructure, which he claimed was exacerbated by the ministry’s decision to alter technical specifications in the RFP, likely to benefit COEMPT. The scandal has intensified political pressure on Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Congress reiterated its demand for his resignation and a full investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the “emerging scandal.#central_board_of_secondary_education #congress_party #jairam_ramesh #dharmendra_pradhan #coempt
Government Considers Military Support for NEET-UG 2026 Logistics Amid Exam Cancellation The Indian government is exploring the involvement of defense forces to oversee logistics and transportation for the NEET-UG 2026 re-test, set for June 21. This decision comes after the original examination, scheduled for May 3, was canceled following allegations of a widespread question paper leak. The National Testing Agency (NTA) suspended the exam on May 12, citing organized misconduct and suspected insider involvement. A high-level meeting was convened at the residence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, bringing together Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and senior officers from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Officials confirmed that a proposal has been drafted to deploy the IAF to handle the secure transportation of question papers from printing presses to examination centers nationwide. The plan aims to replace the current postal system, which involves multiple handling points and officials, with a more controlled logistics framework. The IAF’s proposed role includes ensuring the safe movement of exam materials, minimizing the risk of leaks, and reinforcing security protocols. A senior official stated that the IAF will collaborate with examination authorities to finalize practical details, contingent on approval from the Prime Minister’s Office. The initiative reflects growing concerns over the vulnerability of the existing distribution process, which has been criticized for its susceptibility to tampering. The NEET-UG 2026 examination, originally intended for over 22 lakh candidates, faced a major disruption when the NTA canceled the event.#central_bureau_of_investigation #indian_air_force #rajnath_singh #national_testing_agency #dharmendra_pradhan
CBSE Exam Controversy Sparks Political Pressure as Minister Takes Responsibility The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) faced widespread allegations of malpractice following the implementation of its digital marking system, Online Screening Marking (OSM), for the 12th-grade board exams. Students and parents raised concerns that the transition to OSM led to a decline in scores and inconsistencies in answer sheets, sparking public outcry. Opposition parties, including the Congress, intensified pressure on the central government to address the issue, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In response to the controversy, Pradhan publicly took responsibility for the situation, stating that the CBSE’s handling of the exams fell under the government’s policy framework. He assured stakeholders that any misconduct would be investigated thoroughly, emphasizing that no one would escape accountability. However, the minister also criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his opposition to digital initiatives, accusing him of undermining India’s progress in technology and education. Pradhan highlighted that the controversy had caused significant stress among students and examiners, urging all parties to avoid further agitation. He reiterated his commitment to resolving the issue promptly, stressing that the focus should remain on addressing the concerns of students rather than political debates. The minister’s remarks came amid growing scrutiny of the CBSE’s digital transformation, which critics argue has disrupted traditional evaluation methods and raised questions about transparency. The incident has intensified debates about the reliability of digital marking systems in high-stakes exams.#congress #central_board_of_secondary_education #dharmendra_pradhan #online_screening_marking #cbse_exam_controversy
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Announces Tough Measures to Address NEET-UG Irregularities Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the Jagran Bharat Education Conclave 2026 on Friday, May 22, 2026, to outline the government’s response to the recent controversies surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET-UG. The minister emphasized that the government had to make "tough decisions" after irregularities were uncovered in the exam’s conduct, which had led to allegations of a widespread "examination mafia." He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the re-test, scheduled for June 21, is "100% error-free" and that no deserving student should lose their rightful seat due to systemic flaws. The NEET-UG, a critical examination for admissions to undergraduate medical courses, was held on May 3, 2026, but was subsequently canceled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following reports of paper leaks and other misconduct. The National Investigation Agency (CBI) has been probed the matter, with authorities seeking to determine the extent of the irregularities. Pradhan stated that the decision to cancel the exam was made after findings indicated that "some assessments had been compromised," highlighting the gravity of the situation. The minister acknowledged the significant emotional toll on students, noting that approximately 22 lakh candidates had experienced "mental anguish" due to the controversy. He expressed empathy for their plight, stating, "Twenty-two lakh children have gone through immense mental anguish. Understanding that anguish and taking responsibility, I am saying this today, we had to take some tough decisions.#national_testing_agency #national_investigation_agency #dharmendra_pradhan #jagran_bharat_education_conclave_2026 #union_education_minister
Central Education Minister Advocates for Indian Languages in Schools, Emphasizes Need for Innovators Over Translators Central Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the "Jagran Bharat Education Summit 2026" on Friday, defending the focus on Indian languages in the education system. He asserted that India needs "innovators, not translators," highlighting the importance of prioritizing native languages over foreign ones in classrooms. Pradhan argued that while learning foreign languages is valuable, it should not burden students. Instead, he emphasized that children should study in the language they understand best to grasp concepts effectively. The minister cited a review by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which revealed that only 1% of students across the board are studying foreign languages. Pradhan criticized the overemphasis on English and other global languages, stating that this approach risks neglecting the potential of Indian languages. He argued that India’s rapid growth in innovation, research, and manufacturing requires a shift toward nurturing creators and thinkers rather than relying on translators. Pradhan linked the push for Indian languages to India’s economic and technological progress. He noted that the country’s population has surged to 1.4 billion, and global southern nations are increasingly aligning with India. He stressed that India’s competitive edge lies in its capacity for innovation, cost-effective production, and research, which must be supported by a strong foundation in native languages. The minister also addressed criticism of the education system, calling for rational and relevant discourse in a democracy.#central_board_of_secondary_education #dharmendra_pradhan #central_education_minister #jagran_bharat_education_summit_2026 #indian_languages
CBSE CTET 2026 Results Delayed as Candidates Await Final Declaration The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has yet to announce the results of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026, leaving over 25 lakh candidates in suspense. The provisional answer keys for the February 2026 exam were released on March 12, with the objection window closing on March 15. Despite the completion of the evaluation process, the final result has not been declared, prompting concerns about the delay. The exam, held on February 7 and 8 across more than 140 cities, faced technical glitches that necessitated a re-examination on March 1 at two centers in Bihar. The prolonged wait has drawn attention from political figures, including Member of Parliament Supriya Sule, who publicly urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to expedite the result announcement. Sule highlighted issues of transparency and communication, as the delay exceeds the typical 30-day timeline for result declarations. This delay risks disrupting recruitment timelines for central government schools, where CTET is a mandatory qualification for teaching positions. Institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti rely on CTET results to finalize hiring, and any further postponement could affect thousands of candidates’ career prospects. The CTET exam, conducted in two papers, serves as a national-level eligibility test for teaching roles. Paper 1 qualifies candidates for Classes 1–5, while Paper 2 is for Classes 6–8. Candidates who pass both papers are eligible to teach across all primary and secondary levels. The scorecards, which include details like candidate names, roll numbers, and qualifying status, will be valid for a lifetime.#cbse #ctet_2026 #kendriya_vidyalaya_sangathan #supriya_sule #dharmendra_pradhan
Consumer Protection Authority Warns Restaurants Against Charging Extra for Gas, LPG The Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a directive prohibiting restaurants and hotels from imposing additional charges for gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), labeling such practices as unfair and against consumer protection guidelines. The watchdog emphasized that only applicable taxes can be included in menu prices, and all input costs must be factored into the displayed prices. This move aims to prevent exploitation of consumers amid ongoing fuel supply concerns. Government officials have consistently denied reports of petrol and diesel shortages, with Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, stating that there has been no price increase for these fuels. She also noted that 26 states have received 22,000 tonnes of commercial LPG, and 2.5 lakh new piped natural gas (PNG) connections have been established in the past 25 days. The government has also announced that households will no longer receive LPG supplies if they fail to switch to PNG where connectivity is available, a measure intended to accelerate gas network expansion and reduce reliance on a single fuel. Meanwhile, the Indian Oil Corporation chairman, Arvinder Singh Sahney, urged the public to avoid panic buying and trust official sources, assuring that there is no shortage of fuel. Similar reassurances were made by the Telangana government and its petroleum dealers association, which confirmed adequate stock levels and normal supply chain operations.#strategic_petroleum_reserve #sujata_sharma #consumer_protection_authority #arvinder_singh_sahney #dharmendra_pradhan
